CVE-2026-0303

Arbitrary code execution via auto-loaded scan configuration

Published Sep 10, 2026 · Updated Sep 10, 2026

Code execution in Palo Alto Networks Checkov 3.2.0 through 3.2.531 allows attackers to run arbitrary code via a crafted scan directory. Checkov trusts an auto-discovered .checkov.yaml or .checkov.yml file, which can direct it to load attacker-controlled external Python checks. Execution requires a user or CI job to scan attacker-controlled IaC content; no special configuration is required, and code runs with the Checkov process's privileges.

CVSS severity6.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in Palo Alto Networks Checkov 3.2.0 through 3.2.531 allows attackers to run arbitrary code via a crafted scan directory. Checkov trusts an auto-discovered .checkov.yaml or .checkov.yml file, which can direct it to load attacker-controlled external Python checks. Execution requires a user or CI job to scan attacker-controlled IaC content; no special configuration is required, and code runs with the Checkov process's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-0303
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Updated
Sep 10, 2026
Vendor
Palo Alto Networks
Product
Checkov
Classifications
CWE-829, CAPEC-248, T1059.006, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 10, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.2.0 <3.2.532 changes=[{"at":"3.2.532","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Palo Alto Networks · Checkovversion=3.2.0 <3.2.532 changes=[{"at":"3.2.532","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

2.4Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:U/AU:N/R:U/V:D/RE:M/U:Amber
6.3Palo Alto NetworksCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
CAPEC-248Command Injection
T1059.006Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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